Craps is one of the best games in any real casino because it’s straightforward and fun, and the exciting part is that you can play craps online. But be careful, as betting on craps can empty your wallet. That’s why it’s important to know how to play and what the best craps strategy is to win more often.
In this article, you’ll learn the main terminologies, rules, and basic tutorials of craps, as well as strategies for the craps table game. You’ll also learn about the best kinds of craps bets that can improve your chances of winning, whether you’re playing craps online or just in a physical casino.
Terminologies
Craps is a casino game that has its own unique language. While you don’t need to understand every term, knowing some can enhance your understanding of the game. Here are a few basic terms from the craps table that can be helpful, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player:
Terminology & Meaning
Ace – A die that shows the value of one
All the spots we got – A roll of one
Arm – A player skilled in throwing the dice to get a certain number
Betting right – Betting on the pass line
Betting wrong – Betting on the don’t pass line
Big Red – A roll of seven
Capped Dice – A diced fixed to favor certain numbers
Bone – Dice
Cold table – A table where most players are losing
Color up – Exchanging small denomination chips for larger ones
Crap out – Throwing a 2, 3, or 12 number on the come-out roll
Crap numbers – 2, 3, and 12
Fever Five – A roll of five
Front line – Pass line bets
Hard number – Numbers rolled as a pair
Hot table – A table where most players are winning
Little Joe – A roll of four
Outside numbers – 4, 5, 9, and 10
Parlay a bet – To add winnings from one bet to the original take and have it all wagered
Payoff – Proceeds of a winning bet
Payout – Odds associated with a winning bet
Point – The value established on coming out roll
Pressing a bet – To double an existing bet
Puppy paws – A roll of ten
Right bettor – A player betting on the pass line
Snake eyes – A roll of two
Square pair – A hard eight or a pair of fours
Winner on the dark side – A roll of three
Working bets – Bets that are in play for the next roll of play
Wrong bettor – A player that bets on the don’t pass line because a different result is expected.
Important Craps Rules
Craps are simple online casino table games that have its own rules, just like Baccarat or Fruit Zen. You need to follow these rules carefully to win the game. Here are the step-by-step rules of the game:
- Starting the Game: The game begins with a basic bet, known as the pass-line bet. Think of it as choosing which team you think will win in a sports game.
- First Throw: The player who gets to roll the dice is called the shooter. Their first roll is known as the come-out roll.
- Immediate Win or Loss: If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 (this is called a natural), everyone who bets on the pass line wins immediately! It’s like scoring a goal right at the start. But if they roll a 2, 3, or 12 (also called craps), everyone on the pass line bet loses right away – it’s as if the opposing team scored instead.
- Setting the Target: If any other number comes up on the dice, that number becomes what’s known as the point. The shooter will keep rolling the dice, and their goal now is to roll this point number again before they roll a 7.
- Continuing the Game: At this stage, players can place various other types of bets to make the game more interesting, just like adding new rules to a board game.
The Pass Line Bet is like betting on your favorite team to win. You win if your team scores right away (the shooter rolls a 7 or 11), but all the bet loses if the opposing team scores (the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12). If any other number is rolled, that becomes the point and your team must score that specific goal again before letting in a goal (the shooter rolling a 7).
The Don’t Pass Bet is like betting against your favorite team. You win if your team lets in a goal on the first throw (the shooter rolls a 2, 3, or 12) and lose if they score (the shooter rolls a 7 or 11). After the come-out roll, this bet wins if your team lets in a goal (a 7 is rolled) but loses if they score that specific goal again (the point is rolled).
Betting Options
The betting options available in a craps game include:
- The Pass Line and Don’t Pass Wagers: These are the most common and easy-to-understand options in the game. You are expected to place one of these come bets before making a come-out roll.
- The Come and Don’t Come Bets: These options only differ from the pass and don’t pass line options in that they after a point has been established. In these options, you need to get a 7 or 11 to win. With a 2, 3, or 12, you lose.
- The Odds Bet: This bet option is similar to that of a side bet which is made after a point is established. Odds bets are an extension of other come bets types which is why we have pass and Come odds as well as don’t pass and don’t come odds.
- Place Win Bets: This type of bet can be made after a point has been established on any of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 being rolled before a 7. The number of come-out rolls can vary, leading to different payouts depending on the number.
- Place Lose Bets: This is the reverse of place win bets. You secure a win when any of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 appear after a 7. The payouts vary depending on the number.
- Buy Bets: With this betting option, you’re wagering that a specific number will appear before a 7. If that occurs, you’re victorious, but if it doesn’t, you lose. However, compared to place-win bets, the payouts for buy bets would be higher.
- Hardways: This bet involves rolling a number as a double for it to count as the hard way. A hard 4 is achieved with a double of 2s, and a hard 8 is achieved with a double of 4s.
- Big 6 and 8: These types of bets are simple and can earn you money if you win. For beginners, 6 and 8 bets are the best. When a 6 is thrown before a 7, a big 6 wins. When a big 8 is thrown before a 7, a big 8 wins. The 6 and 8 bet options are easy to understand, making them one of the best.
- Field Bets: These kinds of bets are resolved on the following shooter rolls. You win when any of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 is rolled. However, you lose when any of 5, 6, or 8 is rolled.
- Proposition Bets: These types of bets in craps vary and are always resolved on the subsequent roll. They offer better payouts and a higher house edge but are not recommended for players who don’t give chances in risk.
Strategies in Craps Table: Best Ways to Win Craps
Craps has many strategies to help you win more. These basic strategies depend on the bets and how well you know the game but it is crucial to first know the strategies of shooting dice games. So, you’ll know what the best craps-winning strategy before playing the dice game.
Here are some of the best craps tips and strategies that are tested by an expert casino player:
Pass Line Bet Strategy
The pass-line bet strategy is a good starting point to win at craps. At the beginning of the game, you place your bet on the pass line. The first roll, called the come-out roll, determines the next steps. If the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you win immediately. If they roll a 2, 3, or 12, you lose right away. If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point. The game continues with the shooter rolling again. If they roll the point number before rolling a 7, you win.
Don’t Pass Bet Strategy
You start by placing your bet on the don’t pass line. The come-out roll again plays a crucial role. If the shooter rolls a 2 or 3, you win right off the bat. If they roll a 7 or 11, you lose immediately.
A roll of 12 results in a tie. Any other number becomes the point. In this craps strategy, you’re betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before rolling the point number again.
Come Bet Strategy
The come bet is used after the point has been set. You put your wager on the come line and wait for the next roll. If the roll results in a 7 or 11, you win immediately. If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, you lose right away. Any other number that comes up becomes your come point.
Don’t Come Bet Strategy
This strategy is similar to the don’t pass bet strategy, but it’s implemented after the point has been determined. You place your wager on the don’t come line. If the subsequent roll is a 2 or 3, you’re victorious. If it’s a 7 or 11, you’re out of luck. A roll of 12 leads to a draw. Any other number becomes your come point, and you’re a winner if a 7 appears before this number.
Odds Bet Strategy
After the point has been established, you can place an additional bet behind your initial bet, which could be a pass line, don’t pass line, come, or don’t come bet. This additional bet is called an odds bet. The odds bet pays out at true lay odds, meaning there’s no house edge.
Dark Side Betting Strategy
In this strategy, you’re betting against the shooter, meaning you’re betting that they will lose. This usually involves placing don’t pass and don’t come bets. It’s often considered taboo in a live casino setting because you’re betting against everyone else at the table but with a one-roll bet you could win every time.
Aggressive Craps Betting Strategy
Certain come bets offer substantial payouts, but they also come with a significant house edge, making them challenging to win. However, you could consider the aggressive craps game strategy. This approach involves taking substantial risks in hopes of substantial rewards. There’s a chance you might lose, but if you succeed, your winnings will be considerable.
Craps Payout & Winnings
Understanding the payout system in casino games can help you place better bets, win more, and earn casino bonuses. For instance, in online craps, like many online games, if you wager on a 3 to 1 chance, you receive a 2 to 1 payout. Craps is known for having one of the best bets and house edges in casino gaming, provided you understand how it operates.
There is a minimum and maximum bets on how much you can bet at a Craps table in any casino. But you can increase your bet on the Pass bet Line and Come bet. This gives you a better payout.
Payout Depending on The Betting Options
Knowing how much you could win on each bet in Craps is really important, whether you’re new to the game or have been playing for a while.
It helps you decide where to put your money and how to look after it. Plus, it makes the game more fun, because there’s more to it than just throwing the dice – you also need to think about what you could win.
Here are the payout systems for each betting option with examples.
- The Pass Line and Don’t Pass Wagers: These are the most common bets. If you bet $10 on the pass line and win, you’ll get your original $10 back plus another $10. The payout odds for these bets are 1:1.
- The Come and Don’t Come Bets: These bets are similar to the pass-line bet but are placed after a point has been established. If you bet $20 on a come bet and win, you’ll get your original $20 back plus another $20. The payout odds for these bets are also 1:1.
- The Odds Bet: This is a side bet made after a point is established. If the point is 4 or 10 and you make a $30 odds bet, you’ll win $60 if the point is rolled again before a 7. The payout for this bet depends on the point number.
- Place Win Bets: This bet can be made after a point has been established. If you make a place win bet of $6 on the number 8, you’ll win $7 if an 8 is rolled before a 7. The payout for this bet also depends on the number.
- Place Lose Bets: This is the reverse of place win bets. In this case, you come out on top when any of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 are rolled following a 7. The payouts for these bets vary.
- Buy Bets: This is a wager where you’re predicting that a specific number will appear before a 7 does. If you make a buy bet of $20 on the number 10, you’ll win if a 10 is rolled before a 7. The payouts are higher than place-win bets.
- Lay Bets: This is a wager where you’re betting that a 7 will be rolled before a specific number. If you make a lay bet of $40 on the number 4, you’ll win if a 7 is rolled before a 4.
- Hardways: You’re expected to roll a number as a double for it to qualify the hard way. If you make a hard ways bet of $1 on the number 8 (meaning both dice must show 4), you’ll win $9 if an 8 is rolled the hard way (i.e., as two fours) before either a 7 or an easy 8 (i.e., as six and two or five and three).
- Big 6 and Big 8: If you bet $10 on “Big 6”, you’ll win another $10 if a 6 is rolled before a 7.
- Field Bets: If you make a field bet of $5, you’ll win $5 if any of these numbers (3,4,9,10,11) are rolled in the next roll, and $10 if any of these numbers (2,12) are rolled.
- Proposition Bets: These bets are settled on the next roll with varying payouts depending on the specific bet with minimum and maximum bets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are C and E in Craps?
A C and E bet is a wager on a roll that results in either 11 or craps. Those who place a C and E bet are predicting that the shooter will roll a 2, 3, 12, or 11. The bet is successful if any of these numbers appear, along with an 11. This type of bet is often overlooked because it’s not easily visible on the table.
The payout odds for a C and E bet differ for each part of the wager. If an 11 is rolled, this type of bet offers a payout at either 3:1 or 7:1. With a C and E bet, you have the possibility of losing one part or both parts of the wager.
Can Craps Be Beaten?
Craps is a game that you can play and win consistently. Some beginners may find craps challenging to conquer. While it might not be the easiest game in the casino, you can triumph over it if the house advantage is minimal. To secure a victory, you need to understand the game thoroughly and employ the most effective craps strategy that offers high odds.
What Is the Safest Bet in Craps?
The safest bets in craps are often chosen due to their low-risk profile. Pass-come bets are simple and secure wagers with a small house edge and high odds. To secure a win on a pass bet, you need to roll a 7 or 11 for a point. It’s recommended not to place pass bets after the come-out roll to avoid decreasing it.
What Is the Best Strategy for Craps?
The most effective strategy in craps is to wager on the pass line. This implies that you’re playing in collaboration with others, rather than opposing them on the Don’t Pass Line. This craps strategy provides superior odds, a minimal house edge, and larger payouts.
Another approach is the pass-bet strategy. In this method, you place supplementary bets following the initial roll to boost your wager. With an increased wager, your chances of winning the pass bet are enhanced, particularly if you play the free odds bet.
You might lose, but if you win, you win big.
Conclusion
Remember, craps is a fun and simple game that you can enjoy in a real casino or online. But always be mindful of your bets as it can quickly drain your funds. With the right knowledge and strategy, you can increase your chances of winning. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the key is to understand the game and play smartly. Happy gaming!
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